Relay switch



Dec. 31, 1929; Y J. 5; DUNN 1,741,409

RELAY SWITCH Filed Sept. 8, i925 ,/l /2 20 .Zl'zsuh an fisuzai z'an flisuhibbn/ WITN2S% INVENTOR @mi Jahn Sin/flier: Dunn WM 3} ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNITED STATES JOHN STRUTHER-S DUNN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA RELAY SWITCH Application filed September My invention relates to relay switches and particularly to double-pole double-throw relay switches. I

One object of my invention is to provide a double-throw relay switch having an operating coil that shall maintain one set of contact members engaged at a predetermined contact pressure when said coil is energized, and having means, such as a spring or countor-weight, that shall maintain another set of contact members engaged at substantially the same contact pressure when the operating coil is not energized.

Another object of my invention is to provide a double-throw relay switch that shall have a unitary removable armature and contact structure. 7

Another object of my invention is to provide adouble-throw double-pole relay switch 0 that shall have its entire moving parts removably mounted on its actuating electro-v magnet.

Another object of my invention is to provide a relay switch of the above indicated character, that shall be so designed with varying pivoting points that wiping contact is obtained between the cooperating contact members.

A further object of my invention is to provide a relay switch, of the above indicated character that shall be inexpensive to construct and effective in its operation.

The relay switch embodying my invention is peculiarly adapted to control the connection of an energy-consuming circuit to one or the other of two sources of energy, where the continuous energization of the consuming circuit is of prime importance and where one of the sources of energy is the normal source and the other an emergency source to be utilized whenever the normal source fails. This method of operation is particularly suited to the control of lighting circuits in which continuity of service is essential, as in hospital operating rooms, and of burglar and fire alarm systems, railway signal systems, and any other systems which must be energized continuously.

In practicing my invention I provide an elongated base plate having a pair of sta- 8, 1925. Serial No. 55,000.

tionary contact members at each end. A stationary electromagnet is also mounted on the base plate and a unitary removable armature comprising a support for contact members is pivotally mounted on the electromagnet.

lVith this arrangement the relay may be adjusted or repaired without disturbing the relationof the parts as the movable members of the relay are arranged to be removable as a unit.

Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a front elevational view of arelay switch embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the switch shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the pivotal member for the armature of my invention.

My invention comprises, in general, a base plate 4, an electromagnet 5 mounted thereon, two pairs 6 and 7 of stationary contact members mounted on the base plate on opposite sides of the electromagnet and a unitary'movable member 8.

The base plate 4 is preferably made of moulded material but any other suitable insulating material may be used. The pairs of contact members 6 and 7 are formed from screw threaded members screwed to the base by nuts 9 and having contact tips 10 thereon of suitable material which will not pit.

The electromagnet 5 comprises an outer magnetizable core member 11 of cup shape, an inner core member 12 anda winding 13. The electromagnet is similar to that shown in my copending application Serial No. 29,288, filed May 11, 1925.

The unitary movable member 8 comprises a magnetizable armature 1st of flat plate having a slot 15 therein transversely of its length at its center and a central opening 16 therein. Three insulating strips 17, 18 and 19 are disposed on the armature 14 transversely thereof one at center and the others at the ends thereof. A guide pin 20 is disposed in each end of each of the strips 17 and 19 and a pin 21 is disposed in each end of the strip 18. Two conducting strips 22 and 23 are disposed longitudinally of the armature L1 and they each have three openings 24 therein to which the pins 20 and 21 are loosely disposed. The pins 20 have enlarged heads therein to permit relative movement between the strips 22 and 23 and the armature but the heads prevent the strips from becoming detached from the armature.

Springs 25 are disposed between the heads of the pins 21 and the strips 22 and 23 to resiliently hold the strips ad] acent the strips 17, 18 and 19 and to permit the strips 22 and 23 to pivot around the strip 17 under certain conditions and around the strip 19 under others thus giving an increased leverage, and, consequently, greater contact pressure and insuring a wiping action between the cooperating contact members.

A bracket member 26 is secured to the outer core member 11 by a screw 27 and has three projections 28 at its upper part and a lateral projection 29 at its lower part. The armature 14 has another opening therein through which extends a screw threaded member 30 which is adjustably retained in position by a nut 31. A spring 32 extends from the member 30 to'the lateral projector 29 and serves to bias the armature into its deenergized position. A counter-weight 32 is also provided to bias the armature in the I same manner in the event that the spring 32 fails.

Conductors 33 and 34 are connected to the strip contact members 22 and 23 and also to stationary terminal members 35 and 36. Other stationary terminal members 37 and 38 are provided for the winding of the electromagnet.

Contact members 39 are mounted at the ends of the members 22 and 23 for engagement with the tips 10 of the stationary contact members 6and 7.

It will be observed that during energization of electromagnet 5 the upper contact members 39 and the tips 10 of the stationary contact members 6 are in engagement and that the movable contact members 39 are pivoted. around the insulating strip 17 against the action of the springs 25 and the resiliency of the strips 22' and 23 themselves. In the position illustrated in Fig. 2, the armature 14. is biased by the spring 32 away from the electromagnet 5. Accordingly, the

lower pairs of contacts 10 and 39 are in engagement with each other, permitting the insulating spacing member 17 to be moved a short distance beyond the conducting strips by the spring or equivalent 32 whereby the insulating strip 19 serves as a fulcrum with respect to which springs 25 exert forces the insulating strip 17 engages the strips 22 and 23 and effects disengagement of the contact members 7 and engagement of the contact members 6.

It will be understood that the tension spring 32 may be adjusted to change the calibration of the device, and that the relay may be so constructed that it may be mounted in either the vertical or horizontal position, as desired. When in the vertical position, the counter balance 32 would obviously be so located with respect to armature 14' 1. A double-pole double-throw relay switch comprising abase member, a pair of stationary contact members at each end thereof, a stationary magnetizable core member mounted on the base, a magnetizable armature pivoted at its central point on one side of the core member, a spring mounted with respect to the core structure for normally biasing the armature to its inoperative position, a pair of elongated conducting members and resilient means substantially at the middle of the conducting members and the armature member for mounting said conducting members longitudinally of the armature member for engaging the pair of stationary contact members alternately.

2. A double-throw relay switch comprising an elongated contact member, an armature for supporting the same, said armature pivoted intermediate its ends, and means for so mounting the contact member that it is pivoted around opposite ends of the armature when the armature is actuated in opposite directions.

3. A relay switch comprising a base member, an electro-magnet mounted thereon, a

pair of stationary contact members mounted I at each end of the base member, a magnetizable armature member pivotally mounted on the electromagnet, two double-pole contact members floatingl and resiliently held to said armature mem er opposite its pivot and adapted to engage the stationary contact members selectively, and a spring tending to bias the armature member out of engagement with the electromagnet.

4. A relay switch comprising a base mem-'- ber, an electromagnet, a cylindrical casing therefor, means for securing the electromagnet and the casing to the base member, an arcuate member adapted to be secured to the casing and having a bracket arm at one end thereof and a pivot portion at the other end thereof -projecting beyond the edge of the casing, an armature member supported by said pivot portion and cooperating with the electromagnet, a tension spring having one end secured to the bracket arm on the arcuate member and the other end secured to the armature member to bias the armature member toward a predetermined position, a plurality of stationary contact members mounted on the base member on opposite sides of the electromagnet, and a plurality of resilient double-pole contact members floatingly and resiliently mounted on the armature member, adapted alternately toengage the stationary contact members on opposite sides of the electromagnet in response to energization and de-energization, respectively, of the electromagnet.

5. A relay switch comprising a base member, an electromagnet, a cylindrical casing therefor, means for securing the electromagnet and the casing to the base member, an

- arcuate member adapted to be secured to the casing and having a bracket arm at one end thereof and a pivot portion at the other *nd thereof projecting beyond the edge of the casing, an armature member supported by said pivot portion and cooperating with the electromagnet, a tension sprin having one end secured to the bracket arm on the arcuate member and the other end secured to the armature member, means for adjusting the tension of the spring, a plurality of'stationary contact members mounted on the base member on opposite sides of the electromagnet, and a plurality of resilient double-pole contact members fioatingly and resiliently mounted on the armature member, adapted alternately to engage the stationary contact members on opposite sides ofthe electromagnet in response to ener iza-tion and de energization,- respectively, 0 net.

6. A relay switch comprising a base member, an electromagnet supported thereon, stationary contacts mounted at opposite ends of said base member, an armature centrally pivoted for engagement with said electrothe electromag:

magnet, a plurality of resilient conducting members fioatingly mounted on said armature, resilient means for biasing said bridging members towards said armature at points opposite the pivot of said armature, means for moving said armature away from itselectromagnet, and contacts on said resilient members for alternately engaging the oppositely disposed contacts on said base member.

7 A relay switch comprising a base member, an electromagnet supported thereon, stationary contacts mounted at opposite ends of said base member, an armature centrally pivoted for engagement with said electromagnet, a plurality of resilient conducting members floatingly mounted on said armature, resilient means for biasing said conmoving said armature away from its electromagnet, and contacts on opposite ends of said members for alternately engaging the oppositely disposed contacts on said base member.

8. A relay switch comprising a base memher, an electromagnet supported thereon, stationary contacts mounted at opposite ends of said base member, a contact supporting member comprising an armature substantially centrally pivoted for coaction with said electromagnet, means tending to bias said armature in opposition to said electro magnet, aplurality of resilient double-pole conducting members for coacting with said stationary contacts carried by and extending beyond said supporting member and spaced therefrom by insulating members disposed adjacent opposite ends thereof, and means for resiliently restraining said conducting members with respect to said supporting member substantially mid-way between their JOHN STRUTHERS DUNN. 

